Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has officially broken into the global top tier of airport dining, securing the 7th spot worldwide for layover food in a comprehensive 2026 study by UK-based travel authority Airport Parking & Hotels (APH).
The ranking, released by the multi-award-winning British Travel Awards winner, evaluated the world’s 50 busiest airports. Rankings were determined by a rigorous assessment of dining variety, price-to-quality ratio, lounge accessibility, and the overall passenger culinary experience.
This international recognition comes just over a year into the tenure of the New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC) as the airport’s operator. The study highlights NAIA’s rapid evolution, specifically noting:
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Diverse Food Scene: The introduction of expansive new food halls across all terminals.
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Local & International Concepts: A curated mix of Filipino flavors and global brands designed to cater to a modern traveler’s palate.
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Passenger-Centric Improvements: A deliberate push to modernize dining infrastructure and improve the value for money for transit passengers.
The NNIC management team views this achievement as a milestone in their long-term vision for the gateway. Since the data collection for the APH study, even more dining options have opened their doors, further elevating the terminal experience.
“It is incredibly rewarding to see NAIA earning its place alongside major global hubs so early in our journey,” said an NNIC spokesperson. “This ranking validates our commitment to transforming the passenger experience. We aren’t slowing down; our goal is to continue introducing exciting new food concepts that make every layover at NAIA something to look forward to.”
With additional renovations and food concepts currently in the pipeline, NAIA is poised to continue its ascent in global rankings, redefining what travelers expect from the Philippines’ premier gateway.
